Chapter 42: Chapter 42

The breakfast ended after the Queen left the dining hall. Cassius led me outside the castle and into the forest like he promised. He wouldn’t want to break his promise, right? I may have also added some things to do on our so-called date and gladly he agreed.

“So where to?” I asked him, looking around the woods.

“This way,” He pulled my hand to the far east of the forest.

After a couple of minutes speeding up, we arrived at the place. It really is wonderful here. There’s a ruin and half of it has already turned to huge pieces of stones on the snowy ground. You can see the interior from here. Nature has already made their home in the building. From the moss on the cement to the vines wrapped on the roof and pillars.

“This was once a church,” Cassius explained, walking to the entrance of the church.

Cassius helped me up the stone stairs, “Careful, this place is too old.” Some parts have already fallen down the hole which I think is the underground.

“What’s down there?”

I followed Cassius inside, “Den of lions,”

“What?” A low gasp escaped my lips. I’m ready to speed up away from this place in an instant. I don’t care anymore if I leave him here. What’s he even thinking of bringing me to this place?

He barked a laugh, “I’m kidding, Feyre.”

“You should’ve seen your face!” He laughed

“It’s not funny,” I said even while laughing. His laugh makes me laugh for some reason.

We walked towards the altar and sat on the wide stairs below the old altar table. I think all of the materials used in this building are stone and glass.

“Vienna told me what happened,” Cassius spoke beside me.

I nodded, “What did she say?”

“You killed someone,”

“I didn’t intend to! I don’t even know how that happened.”

He breathed sharply, eyeing me warily with those intense eyes.

I bit the inside of my cheek, “Are you mad?” I asked, checking his reaction.

His face fell blank, I couldn’t read him.

“No, no. I’m not mad. I’m just confused. The man was burnt from the inside.“ He paused

“He wasn’t poisoned?”

He shook his head, “No, I had the body checked. His lungs were smoked and his heart got toasted.”

The smoke, that’s right. I think I used the smoke from his cigar to ignite the fire. I am confused as to how I even did that? I could not have done that. My powers are gone.

“Feyre,” He called, waiting for an explanation.

“I think I have my powers back,”

His lips parted, “What?”

“Also, I think it’s out of control,”

Cassius furrowed his brow, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I wasn't sure myself. I thought I lost my powers for good.”

He was silent for a moment as he thinks, “Huh, I thought it would take years for you to regain your abilities but I was mistaken,”

“I thought I’ll lose my powers after I become a vampire?”

“It didn’t seem like it.” He said, staring at me intently.

“Only pure blooded vampires can develop inhumane abilities. When a witch or any darkly creature is to be reborn as a vampire, they lose their powers. For a second I forgot that you are no darkly creature.” He paused as I followed through his words.

“Feyre, you were an angel and I think that makes your situation different.” Cassius explained.

“I think that your abilities will be far more powerful than before. That’s why I’ll teach you how to control them.”

“How can you help me with my angelic powers? Have you ever been an angel in your past life?”

Silence fell upon him, “No,” He trailed, hesitant to say the next words.

“But I can still guide you,” Cassius stretched a wide smile.

“There’s a way for every problem. We just need to find the right book in our old library. Surely there will be something that can help us.” He winked and smiled at me.

My laugh echoed inside the church, Cassius and his smart replies.

“Thank you,”

The sound of twigs cracking made us look in a certain direction. Then some weird animal noises came whispering in our strained ear. I still can’t get used to having enhanced senses. We’re like a walking zombie with superpowers but instead of brains, we crave blood.

Cassius stood up and looked at the direction of the noise. He pulled me up from my seat and we sped up to nowhere. I can only follow his speed with his hand tightly wrapped around mine.

“What is it?” I whispered.

“A stag,” He replied shortly.

My heart pumped rapidly at what I heard. We must be hunting. I mean, he promised he would teach me hunting. It’s the thing I added on the list for our date. Isn’t that fun?

He pulled me down on the snow behind a huge rock, and there we saw the stag. I licked my lip as I stared at the meal in front of us. I haven’t tasted fresh blood since I was reborn. I had been curious ever since as to what it tastes like to drink from the vein. Now I’m certain that my curiosity will end here.

Cassius gestured to me to stay quiet and follow him. So I did. I follow him as we walk closely towards the poor stag. Stags are incredibly fast with their reflexes, they can sense predators easily and it may be hard for humans to hunt them but vampires are on a far different level because of their superhuman abilities.

After a few seconds of watching the stag, Cassius gestured to me and I jumped out of my hiding spot, landing on the stag’s back.

The stag went crazy as I rode it. Shit! I’ll fall down any moment now. So I did what I had to do to make it stop from moving briskly.

I parted my lips and pierced my fangs right against its neck. I tore off a piece of its skin and sucked again. The warmth of its blood gave me more satisfaction than the blood I drink from the goblet.

After a while, I can sense Cassius watching me. Once I stopped, I wiped the red stain on my lips with the back of my palm.

“Why aren’t you drinking?” I asked with knotted brows.

He tilted his head, eyeing the stag on the ground with a frown.

“There’s no more blood to drink, love.”

“Oh,” I smiled sheepishly.

“I’m sorry that was selfish of me,” I mumble in a low tone, embarrassed by my rude behavior. I was just so thirsty. I should’ve left him some blood.

“It’s alright.” He pulled me closer to him.